The Project for Building Small Modular Reactors in Bulgaria Was the Focus of Talks Between GE Hitachi, Blue Bird Energy, Synthos Green Energy, the Minister of Energy, and the Bulgarian Energy Holding

The Bulgarian energy technology company Blue Bird Energy, jointly owned by Glavbolgarstroy and Assarel-Medet, has been working for several years on a project to build small modular reactors (SMRs) in Bulgaria based on the most advanced technology in the field globally—GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300. The rapid progress of projects around the world based on this low-emission and highly innovative solution developed by the American corporation General Electric, as well as the potential for swift implementation of such a project in Bulgaria, were central to discussions held this week in Sofia, hosted by Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy, Mr. Zhecho Stankov.

The working meeting, held at the Ministry of Energy and focused on the development of high value-added energy technologies for the Bulgarian economy, brought together representatives from GE Vernova / GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (USA), Glavbolgarstroy / Blue Bird Energy (Bulgaria), Synthos Green Energy (Poland), as well as representatives from the U.S. Embassy and the Bulgarian Energy Holding. Discussions centered around nuclear energy solutions offered by GE, with particular emphasis on the BWRX-300 small modular reactors. These innovative nuclear units are being considered as a modern, scalable technology suitable for implementation in Bulgaria and are intended to complement the ongoing project for the construction of two AP1000 reactors by Westinghouse. The aim is to further strengthen and expand Bulgaria’s nuclear energy capacity, ensuring long-term, stable, predictable, and low-emission electricity production.

Small modular reactors—one of the most widely discussed technologies in the energy sector in recent years—have the potential not only to enhance Bulgaria’s energy security but also to foster the competitiveness of its industry. They could facilitate the development of data centers, gigafactories, and other high-tech operations tied to artificial intelligence. The SMR initiative also aligns with the government's vision for Bulgaria to become a technological and energy hub in Southeast Europe.

The project to construct small modular reactors in Bulgaria is backed by two of the country’s largest companies in the construction and mining sectors—Glavbolgarstroy and Assarel-Medet—as strategic investors. The selected technology by GE Hitachi is currently the most advanced and mature in global development and deployment. In light of this, the discussions underscored the vital importance of effective public-private partnerships for attracting innovation and securing long-term investments in strategic sectors such as energy and advanced technologies.

PHOTO (left to right): Kalin Peshov, Chairman of the Management Board of Glavbolgarstroy Holding; Frédéric Vitaud, President for Europe, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GE Vernova); Zhecho Stankov, Minister of Energy of Bulgaria; Robert Rudich, Chief Business Development Officer, Synthos Green Energy; Lukasz Dul, Orlen Synthos Green Energy; Andon Itchev, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Bird Energy (Bulgaria).